tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39239943091157843282016-09-07T23:25:11.648-05:00Rants, reviews and fandom<br>
A blog about sports, baseball cards and life...as I see it.Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-41007712374880201172012-02-09T14:30:00.000-06:002012-02-09T14:30:13.557-06:00Astros CAREavan Stops ByIf you're an Astros fan you know that February means two things; spring training starts in a few weeks and the Astros will be driving around Texas and Oklahoma interacting with fans in different cities. I love the annual Astros Winter CAREavan because it gives fans the chance to meet players and coaches.<br /><br />Depending on who is signing that day the lines can be 75 deep or 200+ deep if someone like Bagwell or Biggio is signing. Luckily yesterday the line was only about 100 deep and I got the chance to go back through the line a second time. Two of my favorite young Astros (Brian Bogusevic and J.D. Martinez) were there and I was stoked to meet them. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eW00wat5kz8/TzQn4PfD52I/AAAAAAAAATQ/KBNFTXDvl7U/s1600/CaravanDeshais.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eW00wat5kz8/TzQn4PfD52I/AAAAAAAAATQ/KBNFTXDvl7U/s320/CaravanDeshais.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>&nbsp;Jim Deshaies </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jim Deshaies is a former Astros pitcher and current broadcaster for the Astros on FOXSports. It's always fun meeting broadcasters and recognizing their voice while you're standing in line. Make you even more excited for the season to start.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KPq1GSqXOzs/TzQn_mMGQjI/AAAAAAAAATo/-9Sn1M1FVPw/s1600/CaravanMills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KPq1GSqXOzs/TzQn_mMGQjI/AAAAAAAAATo/-9Sn1M1FVPw/s320/CaravanMills.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>&nbsp;Brad Mills</b></i></span></div>This was my first time to meet Mills and he was a really nice guy. We didn't talk much but I told him good luck this season. He said "Thanks" and "Thanks for coming out tonight."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eS5dwZscglk/TzQn0wRHP8I/AAAAAAAAATI/BLlbaBExawM/s1600/CaravanCruz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eS5dwZscglk/TzQn0wRHP8I/AAAAAAAAATI/BLlbaBExawM/s320/CaravanCruz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Jose Cruz</b></i></span></div>Cruz has been with the Astros for what seems like forever. I'm too young to know much of his playing days but I remember always seeing him outside the foul lines as the first base coach. I love how he signed the "Cheo" nickname on the 1977 Topps card I gave him. He even included his #25 which was retired by the Astros a nearly 20 years ago.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GOGzG58mJkQ/TzQnxo659kI/AAAAAAAAATA/6kDQPcMRlsk/s1600/CaravanBall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GOGzG58mJkQ/TzQnxo659kI/AAAAAAAAATA/6kDQPcMRlsk/s320/CaravanBall.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>J.D. Martinez&nbsp;</b></i></span></div>J.D. Martinez was the main reason I went to the CAREavan stop last night (also because it was only a 10 minute drive from my house). He's my favorite current Astro and I'm hoping for big things out of him this season. He was actually a lot nicer than people told me he'd be so that was good.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOQuzqAeyrQ/TzQn81alpUI/AAAAAAAAATg/j90qC16zcV0/s1600/CaravanHelmet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOQuzqAeyrQ/TzQn81alpUI/AAAAAAAAATg/j90qC16zcV0/s320/CaravanHelmet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Brian Bogusevic (brim) and Jason Bourgeois (side)</b></i></span></div>Bogusevic is another guy I really like for the Astros and I think he's finally hitting his stride as an outfielder. He was drafted as a pitcher and the Astros took too long before deciding to switch him to offense. That's the reason he's had slower progress than you'd want but it looks like patience may be paying off.<br /><br />Jason Bourgeois is a local boy from Houston who'll be competing for a starting position this year. I honestly think he's a better option in CF than Jordan Schafer but we'll see how it plays out. He's got super quick speed and range in CF. He's also a pretty active Tweeter and likes to interact with fans.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K03sorBidwk/TzQn6SGw1SI/AAAAAAAAATY/OIP2o7e9oJ0/s1600/CaravanHat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K03sorBidwk/TzQn6SGw1SI/AAAAAAAAATY/OIP2o7e9oJ0/s320/CaravanHat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">J.D. Martinez (right), Brian Bogusevic (bottom left) and Jason Bourgeois (top left)</span></b></i> </div>The second time I went through the line I decided to get the guys to sign my 59/50 Authentic cap. I was hoping they'd still have some of their cards they brought to sign (so I could trade a few) but they were out so I settled on getting the cap signed.<br /><br />I'll be in Katy tomorrow hoping to meet Jason Castro, Jed Lowrie and Brett Wallace. I'll take more pictures tomorrow and hopefully come back with some more fun loot.Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-6860675128312255452012-02-03T17:31:00.000-06:002012-02-03T17:31:34.575-06:00My Randomized Brew Crew<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As <a href="http://treysastros.blogspot.com/2012/02/group-break-pickups-from-nachos.html">previously mentioned</a> the Brewers were my randomized team in the recent Nachos Grande group break. I don't hate the Brewers by any means but I'm not a fan. I did pull some pretty nice cards in the break though and for that, I'm happy.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MQZowYLv9sw/Tyxqg4mzOsI/AAAAAAAAASo/4Dtofpzvz6A/s1600/NachosMarquis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MQZowYLv9sw/Tyxqg4mzOsI/AAAAAAAAASo/4Dtofpzvz6A/s320/NachosMarquis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">&nbsp;I was lucky enough to pull two Astros like this (lower print runs on those) and pulling this as my 3rd one is just icing on the cake. I remember hearing Grissom's name a lot when I was growing up but I never really watched him play.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--z5G6BIXV2U/TyxqrlN6HDI/AAAAAAAAAS4/Va79W2RlThQ/s1600/NachosYount3000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--z5G6BIXV2U/TyxqrlN6HDI/AAAAAAAAAS4/Va79W2RlThQ/s320/NachosYount3000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This was probably the coolest card I pulled in the group break. It's a die cut of Robin Yount for the 3000 Hit Club. It may be kind of gimmicky but I like the obnoxiousness of it, ha. The back of the card gives some highlights of Yount's career. Interesting trivia from the back of the card, in 1999 when Yount, Nolan Ryan and George Brett were inducted into the HoF it was the first time since 1936 that three guys got in their first time on the ballot. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0URWO55KLUw/TyxqgOn4g0I/AAAAAAAAASg/M-FIm-tpEnE/s1600/Nachos70sBrewers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0URWO55KLUw/TyxqgOn4g0I/AAAAAAAAASg/M-FIm-tpEnE/s320/Nachos70sBrewers.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">&nbsp;More of the Upper Deck Decades 1970's cards. Not much to say about these cards but it might be a fun set to put together. I wasn't around in the 1970's so I don't have much attachment to the players of that era but maybe some of you do.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6NCzZn-ouh8/TyxqqKUMcsI/AAAAAAAAASw/yg9b9IeW9RE/s1600/NachosTraditionBrewers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6NCzZn-ouh8/TyxqqKUMcsI/AAAAAAAAASw/yg9b9IeW9RE/s320/NachosTraditionBrewers.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Another full page scan of the Fleer Tradition set. I've already got two teams down now (Astros and Brewers) so if/when I decide to put this set together I'll be good to go. This set came out in 2000 and I grew up watching baseball in the 90's so many of these guys remind me of my childhood. 2000 really doesn't feel like it was 12 years ago, man I'm getting old.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Overall I'd say I did pretty well in my first ever group break. The Astros cleaned up nicely and the Brewers had a few nice inserts themselves. The only bad thing about doing well in my first group break is now I can see myself getting addicted to them, ha. That's why my girlfriend is around, to keep me in check. She'd rather me waste my money on dates and gifts, absurd. </div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-67339390494636944212012-02-01T18:06:00.000-06:002012-02-01T18:06:19.219-06:00Group Break Pickups from Nachos<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've finally scanned my Astros pickups from <a href="http://fanofreds.blogspot.com/">Nachos Grande's</a> last group break. The cards have been sitting on my desk for about a week just begging to be scanned and organized. Or maybe it was my girlfriend begging me to scan and organize them. Either way here are the pretty awesome results...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f3jjZVGX8fg/TynP0ndKcsI/AAAAAAAAASQ/X7aLZqX7opU/s1600/RichardNachos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f3jjZVGX8fg/TynP0ndKcsI/AAAAAAAAASQ/X7aLZqX7opU/s320/RichardNachos.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I really wish my scanner would show how nice this J.R. Richard card looks in person. It's chrome like but you can't really tell that from the scan. This card comes from the UD Decades 1970's set which came out in 2001. Great little card to add to my Astros PC.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVMVwVRfnsM/TynPwWPNeOI/AAAAAAAAARw/68ZkLBxLEak/s1600/BagwellBiggioGamersNachos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVMVwVRfnsM/TynPwWPNeOI/AAAAAAAAARw/68ZkLBxLEak/s320/BagwellBiggioGamersNachos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A couple of future Hall of Famer's from the 2000 Fleer Gamers set. Luckily I didn't own any cards from the boxes Nachos busted so these are all new PC additions. I don't really like the texture of these cards but luckily they'll be going in binder pages so I won't have to touch them.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LnJiK_Pcu-w/TynPxxN_gZI/AAAAAAAAAR4/mw8xlKz-J8I/s1600/BagwellDividendsNachos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LnJiK_Pcu-w/TynPxxN_gZI/AAAAAAAAAR4/mw8xlKz-J8I/s320/BagwellDividendsNachos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I love this Bagwell from 2000 Fleer Tradition even though it only books for $0.50. Maybe it's cause I love the old blue and gold uniforms of my childhood or because it shows Biggio and Bagwell on the same card, a 2-for-1 if you will. Whatever the reason I'm happy to have pulled this card.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-55PI2YYCF9c/TynPznWF2qI/AAAAAAAAASI/J40C_Bz_5xo/s1600/CaminitiNachos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-55PI2YYCF9c/TynPznWF2qI/AAAAAAAAASI/J40C_Bz_5xo/s320/CaminitiNachos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mHP1M9VUZYY/TynPy4FAf1I/AAAAAAAAASA/lMoYuAY500g/s1600/BiggioNachos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mHP1M9VUZYY/TynPy4FAf1I/AAAAAAAAASA/lMoYuAY500g/s320/BiggioNachos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pulling these two serial numbered cards was awesome. Once again we get to see the blue and gold that I love AND the card is serial numbered. I'm not a big Caminiti fan but it's still a nice card. I like seeing Biggio's Sunshine Kids pin on his cap, he wore that thing everywhere. The card looks elegant in person and lucky for me I pulled 2!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOD8GtNd9yM/TynP_3H6m-I/AAAAAAAAASY/iuLZ_NogJJk/s1600/TeamNachos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOD8GtNd9yM/TynP_3H6m-I/AAAAAAAAASY/iuLZ_NogJJk/s320/TeamNachos.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is just a page full of Astros cards I pulled from the 2000 Fleer Tradition set. I'm actually a big fan of this card design and its simplicity. Of course there are tons of retro sets out there right now that I like but the pops of color set this one apart for me.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I pulled a few other Astros in the group break but didn't want to go too scan crazy. My randomized team from the group break was the Brewers and I'll be showing those cards off soon. Thanks again to <a href="http://fanofreds.blogspot.com/">Nachos Grande</a> for making my first ever great group break&nbsp; a great one. I can't wait to participate in another one this year.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-76648585835934788522012-01-30T16:46:00.000-06:002012-01-30T16:46:45.770-06:00Front and Back by Request<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I had a request to scan the back of a 1987 Mini Topps from 2012 Topps Series 1 so here it is, enjoy!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUjId71GxsY/TycdnoRVWkI/AAAAAAAAARo/bxtXxPdFlT8/s1600/2012ToppsFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUjId71GxsY/TycdnoRVWkI/AAAAAAAAARo/bxtXxPdFlT8/s320/2012ToppsFront.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<i><b>2012 Topps 1987 Mini Topps (Front)</b></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HHkIR_toc0Y/TycdU3AnTTI/AAAAAAAAARg/yBkCTg0-7vU/s1600/2012Topps1987Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HHkIR_toc0Y/TycdU3AnTTI/AAAAAAAAARg/yBkCTg0-7vU/s320/2012Topps1987Back.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>2012 Topps 1987 Mini Topps (Back)</i></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-6746827496627234132012-01-30T15:15:00.000-06:002012-01-30T15:15:12.308-06:00Not what I had originally planned<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I planned on showing you my recent pickups from <a href="http://fanofreds.blogspot.com/">Nachos Grande</a> group break but that will wait until tomorrow because I ran into 2012 Topps at Walmart this afternoon. This post will be pretty scan heavy but I figured I'd get some pictures out there to show everyone what the set looks like this year as well as the inserts. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012Topps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012Topps.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>&nbsp;Base Cards</i></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsBlue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsBlue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><b>&nbsp;Walmart Blue Border</b></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsManupatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsManupatch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><b>Manufactured Patch from the blaster</b></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012Toppswalkoff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012Toppswalkoff.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><b>Classic Walkoffs is on the top and I scanned two separate cards to show you from and back of it. Timeless Talents is the bottom card and once again it's a different card scanned to show front and back.</b></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsGoldenMoments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsGoldenMoments.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>Golden Moments</i></b>&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsGoldenGreats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsGoldenGreats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>Golden Greats&nbsp;</i></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012Toppsgoldfoil01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012Toppsgoldfoil01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012Toppsgoldfoil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012Toppsgoldfoil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><b>Gold Standard (card have foil showing milestone's for the players)</b></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsGoldenFutures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsGoldenFutures.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><b>Golden Futures&nbsp;</b></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsShiny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsShiny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>Golden Anniversary (just like diamond anniversary but golden and sparkly)</i></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsMinis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsMinis.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><b>1987 Mini Topps (these are probably my favorite from the set)</b></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsCodes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/2012ToppsCodes.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><b>Golden Giveaway Code Cards (I doubt I'll be participating this year)</b></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Overall I like the design of the base cards much better than 2011. I'll be collecting the Golden Futures and 1987 Mini Topps for sure. I won't be collecting the other inserts unless they have Astros or PC guys on them. It was fun breaking the new product and I may break a hobby box in a couple of weeks to finish off the base set but I'll mostly be buying singles/trading.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Good luck to all those who'll be busting boxes soon!</div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-60014050206433647642012-01-25T18:50:00.000-06:002012-01-25T18:50:41.820-06:00Trading with a soon to be "rival"<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">&nbsp; When the Astros (or whatever their name will be that season) move to the AL next season they'll become rivals with the Texans Rangers. That's what every stupid sports talk show mentions when they discuss the Astros move to the AL.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you ask fans on either side they'll probably agree and say there won't be a huge rivalry anytime soon. When the Astros were great the Rangers weren't so great. Now that the Rangers are great again the Astros are at the bottom of the barrel. I'm sure there will be years where they're both competitive in the future but it's not happening yet. I'm sure most Rangers fans are pretty apathetic towards the Astros just like many Astros fans really don't care what's happening in Arlington. For the sake of baseball I hope a true rivalry does blossom for both of these teams but I don't like MLB trying to manufacture one.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I got off course there so let me get back to the happy news, ha. After busting a mini-box of 2011 Bowman Sterling I made a trade with Brian over at <a href="http://playattheplatedude.blogspot.com/">Play at the Plate</a> or <a href="http://playattheplatedude.blogspot.com/">PatP</a> for short. He was interested in the Ogando dual relic I pulled and he sent me over the goodies below. It was a simple trade but a great one and I couldn't be happier with the results. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7wN-BhgQ8QU/TyCg0giH3jI/AAAAAAAAARE/C-cUOWAuQFM/s1600/BagwellPlateFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7wN-BhgQ8QU/TyCg0giH3jI/AAAAAAAAARE/C-cUOWAuQFM/s320/BagwellPlateFront.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t5m8Pt9vZgc/TyCgzuyWjyI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/bEy98BkXs_0/s1600/BagwellPlateBack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t5m8Pt9vZgc/TyCgzuyWjyI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/bEy98BkXs_0/s320/BagwellPlateBack.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I don't have very many serial numbered Bagwells so it was great to get this beauty. The front scan doesn't do the card justice as it looks so much nicer in person. I was expecting a couple of Bagwells but nothing this awesome.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fECHVnZvGzE/TyCg4PcaSLI/AAAAAAAAARQ/9hDLWyZ-Umo/s1600/OrangePlate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fECHVnZvGzE/TyCg4PcaSLI/AAAAAAAAARQ/9hDLWyZ-Umo/s320/OrangePlate.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Three orange Astros refractors are a nice addition to my PC. I didn't buy ANY Topps Chrome last year so every chrome card in my PC from 2011 was via trade. These cards look great in person and now I feel compelled to finish the Astros orange team set, ha.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hayOVgSJ--w/TyCg1Ro-VEI/AAAAAAAAARM/czXMmRmd81s/s1600/BerkmanPlate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hayOVgSJ--w/TyCg1Ro-VEI/AAAAAAAAARM/czXMmRmd81s/s320/BerkmanPlate.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This was the big piece in the trade we made. I love the look of the Masterpiece base cards and these relic cards are just as great looking. I know Berkman is now a Cardinal but it's still awesome to add a jersey card when you can. I do miss Big Puma but it was nice seeing him get a championship finally. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I just want to thank Brian again for the awesome and simple trade. Brian, don't worry even if the Astros and Rangers become EPIC rivals I'll still trade with you as many chances as we get. After all we know once they're done rebuilding the Astros will go back to being THE team to beat in the great State of Texas!!! Only kidding...<span style="font-size: x-small;">kind of</span>. </div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-30255616863419368682012-01-24T16:50:00.001-06:002012-01-24T16:51:20.912-06:00A Few 1938 Tobacco Cards<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Due to a death in the family my girlfriend's mom recently went back to England, where my girlfriend and her family are from. While she was there cleaning her dad's house she found the following album from 1938 of Player's Cigarettes tobacco cards.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The album has a near complete set, only missing two cards out of the 50. I know they aren't worth much money but they're gorgeous looking cards and it's cool to know that Katie's grandpa actually hand collected all the cards when he was younger. Most are in great condition, except for the fact that they're glued inside the album, but the fronts are excellent. I just thought I'd take a break from showing off recent trades and purchases to give you a look at a few of these.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqVta_Z5ZIY/Tx80InBxdZI/AAAAAAAAAQk/EzIyEMyn4rk/s1600/CricketAlbum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqVta_Z5ZIY/Tx80InBxdZI/AAAAAAAAAQk/EzIyEMyn4rk/s320/CricketAlbum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>&nbsp;Album Cover</b></i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBaPocr6bCM/Tx80LIDy5LI/AAAAAAAAAQs/tLTxDvIIlH4/s1600/CricketPage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBaPocr6bCM/Tx80LIDy5LI/AAAAAAAAAQs/tLTxDvIIlH4/s320/CricketPage1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>&nbsp;Page One</i></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3mlNLIo23U/Tx80N0_w0tI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/bm-PqcP1UHI/s1600/CricketPage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3mlNLIo23U/Tx80N0_w0tI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/bm-PqcP1UHI/s320/CricketPage2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Page Two</b></i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That's only a couple of pages but the rest look pretty similar with a few blemishes on some of the cards. I really like how underneath the cards there is a mini-bio of each player and his history in the sport of cricket. I'm not much of a cricket fan but there in England it's part of the Big 3 with soccer and rugby being the other two. I hope you enjoyed the look!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-53645439243533177942012-01-21T22:38:00.000-06:002012-01-21T22:38:51.412-06:00"O" No!!! Another Trade Post<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tonight's trade post comes courtesy of Ryan over at <a href="http://anotheroriolesblog.blogspot.com/">"O" No!!! Another Orioles Blog</a>. I contacted Ryan about helping him with some of his set needs in exchange for a few PC items. Ryan did not disappoint as he sent me some pretty awesome pieces which I'm excited to share with you.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e3GwhsI4r9g/TxuNacm_cVI/AAAAAAAAAQU/CElfbdMm2XU/s1600/OriolesHolliday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e3GwhsI4r9g/TxuNacm_cVI/AAAAAAAAAQU/CElfbdMm2XU/s320/OriolesHolliday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2011 Topps Update Cognac, 2011 Topps Update Walmart Blue, 2011 Topps S2 Diamond Stars Matt Holliday </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know what you're thinking, "Why would a lifelong Astros fan have a PC consisting of a St. Louis Cardinal?" Long story short my mom is in love with Matt Holliday AND I really like him as a person/player. He seems pretty down to Earth and I've seen him play so much when the Cards visit Houston that I've grown to love him. Also he hasn't been a Cardinal for TOO long so it's not like I'm rooting for Chris Carpenter or Molina.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yiM24QvxDns/TxuNbb76YkI/AAAAAAAAAQc/VCzIEOI5CZk/s1600/OriolesSingle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yiM24QvxDns/TxuNbb76YkI/AAAAAAAAAQc/VCzIEOI5CZk/s320/OriolesSingle.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2011 Bowman's Best Jonathan Singleton</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I really wish Singleton was in his new Astros uniform in this card but the trade happened after the fact so I'm ok with that. Singleton is the biggest prospect in the Astros organization and he's one of the potential bright spots from the Ed Wade era.&nbsp; </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBIGH2mrcco/TxuNXobNmyI/AAAAAAAAAQM/Y831TujP8f0/s1600/OriolesDeshields.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBIGH2mrcco/TxuNXobNmyI/AAAAAAAAAQM/Y831TujP8f0/s320/OriolesDeshields.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2011 Bowman Chrome Throwback Delino DeShields Jr.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> DeShields is a high ceiling prospect that most fans are hoping turns into a solid major leaguer. He is a speed demon on the bases and if he can get on-base more the next few seasons he should help the rebuilding Astros. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ryan, thank you so much for the great trade and I'm sure it won't be out last. I'll be on the lookout for more of your set needs and any Orioles you need. Also, congrats on hitting 100 followers on the blog. It's a great blog so it's a well deserved 100+ followers. Maybe by the end of 2012 I'll be closer to hitting the century mark. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R754iORCwzM/TxuNW8X11AI/AAAAAAAAAQE/LcwPYYqOXg8/s1600/OriolesAustin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>After thinking about it I was wondering how many of you fellow collector's have a PC, whether it be small or large, of a "rival" team's player(s)? I know I can't be the only one so let your voices be heard!</b></span></div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-84677733176349649862012-01-17T20:43:00.000-06:002012-01-17T20:43:33.104-06:00Goodies from the Platter<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Today's mail brought a beast package from Spiegel over at <a href="http://nomossushiplatter.blogspot.com/">Nomo's Sushi Platter</a>. I recently sent him some A&amp;G minis and a random Matt Kemp card and he sent me this loot. It was way more than I expected and I love it.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-49JOWQXqGnk/TxYtgaF9ikI/AAAAAAAAAPc/2kMspUUsWRg/s1600/spiegelmills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-49JOWQXqGnk/TxYtgaF9ikI/AAAAAAAAAPc/2kMspUUsWRg/s320/spiegelmills.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To most of you it's a plain old Brad Mills 2011 Heritage card. For me it's a blessing because I recently took this same card out of my Astros team set so I could get him to sign it when I meet him in a few weeks. Lucky for me I can add it back to the team set and use this card for the autograph.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W4NBeW31SsY/TxYuBiWWj0I/AAAAAAAAAPs/CMe5SeYv7yA/s1600/spiegelrookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W4NBeW31SsY/TxYuBiWWj0I/AAAAAAAAAPs/CMe5SeYv7yA/s320/spiegelrookies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Two rookie cards of young Astros Altuve and Martinez. This may come as a surprise to some of you but I didn't previously own a J.D. Martinez base rookie from 2011 Topps. I had pulled/bought every other version of the card except for the base so I am happy to add this to my J.D. Martinez PC. The Altuve is a duplicate but that's a good thing again because I can use this one for TTM during ST.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpGUR4hZeq0/TxYuAFxdp8I/AAAAAAAAAPk/bvV0M9rBrAA/s1600/Spiegeljdcognac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpGUR4hZeq0/TxYuAFxdp8I/AAAAAAAAAPk/bvV0M9rBrAA/s320/Spiegeljdcognac.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In the mail today I received two of these cards. One from this trade and a second one I bought on eBay. You guessed it though, I need both so I can have one in the Astros set and one in the J.D. Martinez PC.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jR_aNb_YnBk/TxYuE3zVQ-I/AAAAAAAAAP0/mIwYbnQBJac/s1600/Spiegelvintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jR_aNb_YnBk/TxYuE3zVQ-I/AAAAAAAAAP0/mIwYbnQBJac/s320/Spiegelvintage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was surprised to see a trio of vintage cards in the package (1981 is semi-vintage for me ha). Cedeno is an Astros legend, Rader and Reynolds are both names most Astros fans remember. These three additions are just the beginning of my goals to get more vintage into my PC.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-brSyWxa0YQk/TxYvvOfnR0I/AAAAAAAAAP8/Q_Er93x6Q7g/s1600/LuisGonzottm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-brSyWxa0YQk/TxYvvOfnR0I/AAAAAAAAAP8/Q_Er93x6Q7g/s320/LuisGonzottm.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you read <a href="http://nomossushiplatter.blogspot.com/2012/01/short-term-dodger-signs-for-me.html">Nomo's</a> recent post about Gonzo signing for him then you may have seen this card before. Truth be told I saw the post as well and when I read it was for a trade he had going I quietly hoped it was coming to me. Obviously I'm pumped to have this in my PC now because I grew up watching Gonzo play. He brings me back to the old days when the family and I would catch a game or two in the Astrodome. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It's funny how things work out sometimes. Sure I got some duplicates in the package but they were needed duplicates. Now I don't have to go searching my LCS or eBay for those cards. There were way more cards in the package but I didn't want to take up too much blog space showing off all the awesomeness. It's always hard to pick out the ones to post so please know the others will be just as loved.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thank you again Spiegel for the awesome trade and I hope to do some more trading throughout the year.&nbsp; </div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-24658034966891023122012-01-14T10:48:00.004-06:002012-01-14T10:48:00.126-06:00Time to Check Another 2005 Astro off the list<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As some of you may know I'm currently working on acquiring autographs from all the members of the 2005 Astros World Series roster. I'm trying my best to get the autographs either in person or TTM. I've already received a few of the bigger names (Bagwell and Oswalt) from previous in person signings and some of the lesser known players through TTM. However, some of the players are harder to obtain than others. Some guys don't like to sign TTM much, some have retired and their addresses aren't in any databases yet.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Adam Everett is one of those guys who I've had no luck with TTM. I decided that maybe I could just get an auto off eBay and I'd just replace it if I ever get the chance to obtain his auto in person or TTM. I bought this beauty off eBay for dirt cheap and I'm pretty excited to add it to my PC. I know it has a pretty decent size scratch on it (it was marked as Near Mint??) but since it's just a stopgap for the time being I'm alright with that.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-btPGu3LY-GI/TxEdDztCmHI/AAAAAAAAAPU/1Xxh2UU0zGM/s1600/AdamEverett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-btPGu3LY-GI/TxEdDztCmHI/AAAAAAAAAPU/1Xxh2UU0zGM/s320/AdamEverett.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The autograph looks really sharp and other than the scratch I love this card. Everett was a fun SS to watch on the field. He's traveled around a lot since leaving the Astros and I hope he finds a nice home. If he's done playing for good then I wish him the best in retirement and hopefully I'll be able to meet him one day when the 2005 team has a reunion. </span><br /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I still have a lot of the roster left to obtain but I have faith I can get close to finishing it this year. I'll keep everyone posted throughout the year. Tomorrow the Texans play the Ravens so I'll be pretty nervous over the next 24-36 hours. </div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-68833182626699134312012-01-12T18:03:00.000-06:002012-01-12T18:03:00.941-06:00Tomahawk Chopped<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That will be my new phrase anytime I complete a trade with Derek from <a href="http://tomahawkchopping.blogspot.com/">Tomahawk Chopping</a>. After posting <a href="http://treysastros.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-dont-think-bowman-sterling-is-for-me.html">my Bowman Sterling results</a> Derek showed interest in the Braves auto I pulled. After a few quick emails we agreed on a trade which sent Sean Gilmartin to Derek and brought Christopher Wallace down here to Texas. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2lMmLrXy_Y/Tw9yewv0bDI/AAAAAAAAAPI/2qqJAczG31s/s1600/ChrisWallace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2lMmLrXy_Y/Tw9yewv0bDI/AAAAAAAAAPI/2qqJAczG31s/s320/ChrisWallace.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>2011 Bowman Sterling Christopher Wallace Auto #BSP-CW</b></i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Christopher Wallace was drafted by the Astros in 2010. He's a lifelong Astros fan from here in the Houston area and actually went to the University of Houston. I don't know if he'll ever be a fulltime guy in The Show but it's hard not to root for a hometown kid who is chasing his dreams of playing for the "good guys." </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thanks again Derek for the awesome and quick trade. I love trading with people here in the blogosphere and there's never a trade too small. I hope you enjoy the Gilmartin autograph because I know I love the Wallace.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I hope everyone's had a great week so far and tomorrow is Friday so that's a plus.</div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-35168488595543331132012-01-10T16:45:00.001-06:002012-01-10T16:45:34.410-06:00Contest Winning's from The Daily Dimwit<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sam over at <a href="http://www.thedailydimwit.com/">The Daily Dimwit</a> recently held a small contest. All you had to do was leave a comment with one of your 2012 collecting goals and he'd random off the names. Lucky for me I was the winner and got to choose from one of his duplicate Astros GU cards. He threw in a handful of Bagwell's as well which made the win even sweeter. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SgDL67hqxE4/Twy9Nf1eGzI/AAAAAAAAAPA/PTag9gCit8s/s1600/DimwitBags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SgDL67hqxE4/Twy9Nf1eGzI/AAAAAAAAAPA/PTag9gCit8s/s320/DimwitBags.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I didn't have any of the Bagwell's Sam sent over so these instantly went into my Bagwell binder/Bagwell box. One of my goals is to get to over 180 different Bagwell's (remember I didn't start collecting until last February) and with these cards plus the few I picked up at the LCS I should be well on my way.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zjMK303X1I/Twy9JdnkKKI/AAAAAAAAAO4/2JJV2iYZC_g/s1600/DimwitBiggio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zjMK303X1I/Twy9JdnkKKI/AAAAAAAAAO4/2JJV2iYZC_g/s320/DimwitBiggio.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>2006 Bazooka Basics Relics Craig Biggio</b></i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Call me nostalgic but I love the look of these cards. It takes me back to when I was growing up in the 90's and I'd always chew Bazooka gum and read the wrapper comics. Speaking of those comics, I have no idea what half of them were about and I don't think I laughed once. I don't think anyone understood those Bazooka comics but their gum sure was delicious. This is my very first Biggio GU card and it hopefully won't be my last.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thank you again to <a href="http://www.thedailydimwit.com/">The Dimwit</a> for holding the contest and sending me these awesome cards. I'll return the favor soon and I'm excited to get together when you come into town for the Tristar show. </div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-77997339795828155732012-01-09T19:59:00.000-06:002012-01-09T19:59:14.664-06:00Saturday's mail + Monday's mail = Awesome.<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">First let me start off by saying congratulations to Barry Larkin for making it into the Hall of Fame today. I remember watching Larkin as I grew up in the 90's and he was consistently dominant throughout the times I watched him. He deserves to be a HOFer and I'm happy to see him get in.&nbsp; </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I got 3 packages in the mail on Saturday but due to the Texans game (which they won, thank you) I postponed posting them until today. Today I also received 3 packages, one of which was from The Dimwit so it'll get its own post.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_KwakJhQkQ4/TwuXFnwYQYI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/p4e8ljWTKk8/s1600/DickFarrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_KwakJhQkQ4/TwuXFnwYQYI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/p4e8ljWTKk8/s320/DickFarrel.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">1962 Topps #304 Dick Farrell - Houston Colts</span></b></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is now the oldest card in my PC. One of my goals for 2012 is to collect a lot of the 1962 set in hopes of collecting it all one day. 1962 is the year my parents were born so that's the reason I decided on that set for my vintage set collecting. Getting a vintage Colt/Astro seems to be a great start to the 1962 set and I picked it up for less than $2.50.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEDJEYjejMM/TwuX6ZwKq-I/AAAAAAAAAOY/tBwvSVSmmqo/s1600/USSTexas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEDJEYjejMM/TwuX6ZwKq-I/AAAAAAAAAOY/tBwvSVSmmqo/s320/USSTexas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>2011 A&amp;G FF17 USS Texas</i></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I grew up about 10 minutes from where the USS Texas is now docked. Growing up we went on numerous field trips to the San Jacinto Monument and the USS Texas. Even in high school I'd take off early and go out to the USS Texas to watch the ships come through the Houston Ship Channel. (If any younger kids are reading I do not condone skipping class ha)&nbsp; </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FrC8pIL5bAI/TwuYtku02iI/AAAAAAAAAOg/vFQ2v-vIdrA/s1600/MorseAuto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FrC8pIL5bAI/TwuYtku02iI/AAAAAAAAAOg/vFQ2v-vIdrA/s320/MorseAuto.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>2011 Topps Lineage Michael Morse Auto</i></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I started to like Morse when I saw him on a couple of episodes of MLB Network's Intentional Talk. He is hilarious and he's also a pretty good ballplayer. I'd been eyeing this one for awhile so it was nice to finally pull the trigger and purchase it. I'm excited to see the numbers he puts up this season, as long as it's not against the Astros of course.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PojIS27Qt_Q/TwuZN3WzaTI/AAAAAAAAAOo/_Ofn8NBfVAk/s1600/SpringerAuto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PojIS27Qt_Q/TwuZN3WzaTI/AAAAAAAAAOo/_Ofn8NBfVAk/s320/SpringerAuto.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>&nbsp;2011 Bowman Sterling George Springer Auto</i></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">George Springer is one of the top prospects in the Astros farm system. He was their top choice in the draft and scouts think he'll be a pretty good big leaguer. I used my eBay bucks on this auto which meant I only had to pay the $3 shipping so I'm okay with an investment like that. His auto does leave something to be desired though.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SKegoBCTPnI/TwuZ8vOG0WI/AAAAAAAAAOw/o6LK3FUzywE/s1600/Bagwellbatpant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SKegoBCTPnI/TwuZ8vOG0WI/AAAAAAAAAOw/o6LK3FUzywE/s320/Bagwellbatpant.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>2001 Leaf Rookies &amp; Stars Jeff Bagwell Dress for Success</b></i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This card is just beautiful. It has a nice picture of Bagwell, a simple yet good looking design and TWO pieces of GU memorabilia. I love GU bat cards and this one has to be my favorite I have now. I said I'd be focusing more on my Bagwell collection this year and for the most part I've stayed true to that. Not necessarily adding quantity to the PC but definitely some quality pieces.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tomorrow I'll show off the awesome cards I won from The Dimwit's contest. It's always fun winning contests but even more fun when the contest is run by an Astros fan. </div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-7243186119927179632012-01-09T09:04:00.003-06:002012-01-09T09:04:01.704-06:00Jeff Bagwell Should be in The Hall!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I have some bias on this subject but I'm sure anyone who watches baseball, specifically from the 1990's through 2006, agrees that Bagwell should be in the Hall of Fame. He never reached the 500 HR benchmark and he didn't have much playoff success. If you look at his numbers though he was one of the best first basemen of his era.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Baseball%20PC/ToppsMailBaggie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Baseball%20PC/ToppsMailBaggie.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Bagwell doing what he does best, looking cool.</i></span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He was Rookie of the Year, a 4-time All Star, an MVP, a Gold Glover, a 3-time Silver Slugger winner AND he accomplished most of his feats while playing in the Astrodome!<a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/hof12/story/_/id/7434381/jayson-stark-baseball-hall-fame-ballot"> According to Jayson Stark</a>, Bagwell is the only first basemen to hit 400 homers and steal 200 bases over his career. Bagwell and Gehrig are the only two first basemen to have an OPS-plus of 130 or better in 12 straight seasons. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Two things may hold Bagwell out of the HoF for awhile. One of those is that he played in Houston where not a lot of people outside of the NL got to see him play. This can easily be overcome if voters would just look at his numbers and see that it's an impressive resume when compared to those who've come before him.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The second and most irritating roadblock facing Bagwell is the suspicion that he used steroids or other PED's during his career. Bagwell has never tested positive for steroids/PED's, he wasn't named in the Mitchell Report and other players never mentioned his name along with steroids. Was Bagwell buff? Yea he had muscles but nothing freakishly large or abnormal. If you look at his rookie cards and compare them to the more recent cards you see a normal growth. In this <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/19626/denying-jeff-bagwell-the-hall-is-a-travesty">article</a> <span>David Schoenfield</span> mentions that Bagwell's stats take a pretty normal trajectory.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I know the odds of Bagwell getting into the HoF this year are slim but there is hope. If he doesn't get in this year maybe he'll get in the same year as Biggio but I doubt it since the ballot that year is stacked. Bagwell provided Astros fan's with 14 years of pride and excitement. It would be a disservice to Bagwell, the Astros and Major League Baseball if one of it's best players of the 1990's was kept out of the Hall. I don't think it's fair to keep Bagwell out over speculation but if he gets in eventually that's all that matters to me.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span></span></div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-29015229973161555092012-01-07T10:03:00.006-06:002012-01-07T10:03:00.434-06:00Texans and Bearkats...Oh my!!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Today's post is dedicated to two teams that are near and dear to my heart. One is my Alma Mater and the other is a team I'll cheer for till I die. Today the Sam Houston State Bearkats play in the FCS National Championship game which is a pretty big deal up in Huntsville, Texas. Following the Bearkats game will be the Houston Texans playing their first playoff game in franchise history against the Cincinnati Bengals.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TG1lDTA_Cl4/TwfgSBj9lHI/AAAAAAAAAOI/2Gdsi0k2oxY/s1600/Bomar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TG1lDTA_Cl4/TwfgSBj9lHI/AAAAAAAAAOI/2Gdsi0k2oxY/s320/Bomar.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is the only Sam Houston State card I own. I pulled it out of a PressPass discounted blaster last year. Rhett Bomar isn't the Bearkats QB but he'll have to do for this post since my options are limited. The Bearkats have a high powered offense and they'll need it today but I'm confident they'll bring home the win. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>The next two cards I'm going to show aren't my best Texans cards but they're special for another reason. On New Year's Eve I was visiting family up in small town Texas when I noticed my 5 and 6 year old cousins had 2011 Topps Football cards. Being the Texans fan I am I told them that if they had any Texans I'd buy them from them for $2 a card. I know I overspent offering $2 a card but I at least wanted them to be able to grab another pack for giving me theirs. So long story short I bought 2 little base cards for $4.00 BUT my cousins went home a little richer.</i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Football%20PC/JohnTrade01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Football%20PC/JohnTrade01.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you would have told me at the beginning of the year the Texans would win the AFC South I'd have agreed with you. However, nobody saw the Texans making the playoffs with a 3rd string rookie QB coming in towards the end of the season. Yates hasn't played perfect but he hasn't been horrible in the few games he's played this season. Just making the playoffs is a big deal to Houston fans but we're hoping they can at least win their first game. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Football%20PC/JohnTrade02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Football%20PC/JohnTrade02.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is the guy who'll have a huge weight on his shoulders today. Arian Foster is the key to the Texans having a successful game. TJ Yates has to play a mistake free game but he doesn't have to make all the plays, Ben Tate can run for 100+ yards we know, Andre Johnson (when healthy) is a top 3 receiver in the NFL, Brian Cushing and the rest of the D seem to answer the call when it matters most but the rhythm and the momentum of the game relies on what Foster can do with the ball. Foster is talented, he's fast, he's determined and he still plays with that chip on his shoulder from being undrafted. Those are the reasons I think he'll have a great game and lead the Texans to their first playoff win. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Am I being optimistic with my predictions? Of course I am. Am I being unrealistic with them? Not at all. It's about time Houston area sports succeed at the next level and I can't think of a better day than today to start.&nbsp; </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bulls On Parade!!!</span></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange;">Eat 'em Up Kats!!!</span> </span></div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-68305449394746213382012-01-06T10:08:00.001-06:002012-01-06T10:08:01.188-06:00Best Mailday in Awhile<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am really adding a decent amount of young Astros to my collection and the next two cards are some of the best. Both came via eBay thanks to a giftcard I got awhile back.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2nnBXdI9qxw/TwajPcXIfrI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Bu4PbfdUH-A/s1600/CastroTriple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2nnBXdI9qxw/TwajPcXIfrI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Bu4PbfdUH-A/s320/CastroTriple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">2011 Bowman Platinum Triple Auto CWJ 53/89</span></i></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">I'm a huge Jason Castro fan and I hope he stays healthy so he can become the longtime catcher for the Astros. I bought this card mainly for Castro but it's a nice bonus to get Brett Wallace and Chris Johnson's auto. I almost bought this card months ago when Platinum first came out but was hesitant because they were all redemption's. Topps must have had these cards waiting because within a few weeks the redemption's on eBay turned into actual physical copies. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6X8yfSHkBU4/TwakVdt87oI/AAAAAAAAAOA/M1vcTjEi-oI/s1600/NorrisRef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6X8yfSHkBU4/TwakVdt87oI/AAAAAAAAAOA/M1vcTjEi-oI/s320/NorrisRef.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>2008 Bowman Chrome Bud Norris Auto Refractor 232/500</b></i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">If you think this card looks familiar then you're kind of right. I have the regular version that I posted a few months ago and now I have the refractor! I love Bud Norris and it's been fun to watch him grow. There is something really attractive about on-card autos, even when they're crooked like this one. Next up for me is the X-Fractor version and then eventually the Orange.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've had more cards come in this week so I'll be posting a few more maildays this week. Looking forward to the Texans first playoff game this Saturday. Bulls on Parade!!!!</div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-31839863021946811552012-01-03T21:39:00.000-06:002012-01-03T21:39:50.932-06:00I don't think Bowman Sterling is for me.<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I stopped by my LCS this morning to pick up some binder pages and a handful of Astros commons. While I was there I decided to spend some Christmas money on a mini-box of 2011 Bowman Sterling and a jumbo pack of 2011 Update.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> After busting open the box I realized I may have had more fun and better results busting 3 more discounted A&amp;G blaster than this product. (Speaking of which I did buy one more blaster yesterday but that'll be for another post) At least with A&amp;G I could continue building my set. You live and you learn, at least I can use the pulls as trade bait hopefully. Here are the noteworthy cards from both the Topps Update and Bowman Sterling.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5VDe8jDPf8/TwPH9OiK3NI/AAAAAAAAANQ/8vBZTsTtqPw/s1600/2011UpdateShine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5VDe8jDPf8/TwPH9OiK3NI/AAAAAAAAANQ/8vBZTsTtqPw/s320/2011UpdateShine.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><br /><br /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>The Jimmie Foxx is my second Diamond Anniversary SP (the other being the Gehrig I pulled).</i></b></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/TrumboWheelerBow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/TrumboWheelerBow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/OgandoBowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/OgandoBowman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>X-Fractor 105/199</b></i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/GilBowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/GilBowman.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/PanikBowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/BoxBreak/PanikBowman.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>The Panik is probably the best pull of the mini-box. I don't know much about him but what I've read they say he's got a bright future with the Giants. </b></i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As always these cards are for trade if anyone is interested. If you've got a decent baseball card fund then Bowman Sterling may be for you but I don't think I'll be chasing this set anytime soon. I've realized I like the fun of collecting a set with multiple interesting inserts and if I'm going to drop $50 I want more than 5 cards. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-74087795614275473572011-12-31T12:09:00.002-06:002011-12-31T12:09:00.118-06:002010 Bowman Chrome on SaleWhile I was at Walmart picking up that second A&amp;G blaster I saw that 2010 Bowman Chrome was on sale for $12. I didn't start collecting until the Spring of 2011 so I missed out on the original release of&nbsp; 2010 Bowman Chrome. Having never busted packs of the product I took my chances and bought the cheap blaster. I did ok but here are the better cards of the box.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YiPCaJoJ84k/Tv1m6SiW4xI/AAAAAAAAAMc/PrgSk3XazMg/s1600/RajiRef.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YiPCaJoJ84k/Tv1m6SiW4xI/AAAAAAAAAMc/PrgSk3XazMg/s320/RajiRef.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>2010 Bowman Chrome Rajai Davis Refractor</b></i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wXARlmirxrE/Tv1nUDPHswI/AAAAAAAAAM4/uaQ-tKzIXAI/s1600/AustinJacksonRef.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wXARlmirxrE/Tv1nUDPHswI/AAAAAAAAAM4/uaQ-tKzIXAI/s320/AustinJacksonRef.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">2010 Bowman Chrome Austin Jackson RC Refractor</span></b></i></div>I think the card gods want me to start an Austin Jackson PC because I have pulled so many refractors of him this year. Let's see how 2012 plays out because I do have a decent headstart if I decide to PC him.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wgL-q3PR_xI/Tv1n_fKHgXI/AAAAAAAAANE/NOmL07LRftw/s1600/EricYoungRef.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wgL-q3PR_xI/Tv1n_fKHgXI/AAAAAAAAANE/NOmL07LRftw/s320/EricYoungRef.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>2010 Bowman Chrome Eric Young Jr. RC Blue Refractor 108/150</i></b></span></div>&nbsp;I was really surprised and excited to pull a blue refractor out of a discounted blaster. I know they aren't crazy rare since there are 150 of each blue refractor but still it's a nice pull. I actually like what I've seen from Eric Young Jr. so that's an added bonus. <br /><br />If you haven't already and want a cheap but fun blaster break you should check out your local Walmart to see if they have any of these 2010 Bowman Chromes on sale.Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-61412213096376507032011-12-30T11:40:00.001-06:002011-12-30T11:40:00.818-06:00Discounted Blasters are Addicting...<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I couldn't resist and decided to buy the other discounted blaster of 2011 A&amp;G. I did alright on this blaster and I promise it's my last A&amp;G blaster of 2011. I just couldn't resist when I saw it sitting there all alone. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>&nbsp;SPs:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">318 Brett Wallace</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">330 CC Sabathia </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">336 Kevin Kouzmanoff </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">342 Mike Pelfrey </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Hometown Heroes:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">HH1&nbsp;&nbsp; Buster Posey</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">HH29 Rick Porcello </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">HH33 Austin Jackson</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">HH73 Mark Teixeira</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">HH87 Jeremy Hellickson </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">HH89 Todd Helton</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Minds That Made the Future:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">MMF13 Carl Linnaeus</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Floating Fortresses:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">FF18 HMS Devastation</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Ascent of Man:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">AOM14 Haplorrhini</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Baseball Highlight Sketches:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BHS-5 Albert Pujols </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Minis:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">26 Edwin Jackson (A&amp;G Back)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">82 Scott Rolen </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">124 Chad Billingsley (Black bordered)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">223 Chuck Woolery</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">327 David DeJesus</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">AP-25 Black-footed Ferret</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">UG5 Amityville Haunting</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">SRU7 Snake Charming</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Once again I got a "hit" out of the A&amp;G blaster. Luckily this time it's a PC item due to the recent trade between the Astros and Red Sox.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_F0PNtqYja8/Tv1lF8GJq3I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/GY-zzXD6exs/s1600/Lowrie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_F0PNtqYja8/Tv1lF8GJq3I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/GY-zzXD6exs/s320/Lowrie.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The relic looks a little dirty too so that's always cool. I'm really hoping Lowrie can stay healthy and hit his stride with the Astros. We all know they could use a good SS during this rebuilding phase.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Also, I promise I'll be buying a new scanner soon and I'll try to scan more when I'm visiting my mom's house where my old scanner is. Any suggestions for a cheap scanner would be welcome, don't want to spend too much on one. </div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-50683898476208406862011-12-29T16:00:00.000-06:002011-12-29T16:00:00.354-06:00Discounted 2011 A&G Blaster<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was at Walmart and decided to check out the card aisle for any recently reduced blasters. I saw a couple of 2011 A&amp;G for $15 so I bought one. I did alright but nothing earth shattering. Here are the cards worth noting.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>SPs:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">304 Madison Bumgarner</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">305 Justin Morneau</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">311 Ian Stewart </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">319 Jon Niese </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Hometown Heroes:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">HH14 Carl Pavano</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">HH16 Dan Uggla </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">HH21 Jon Lester</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">HH52 Ian Kinsler</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">HH60 Alex Rodriguez </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">HH88 Roy Oswalt</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Minds That Made the Future:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">MMF34 Archimedes</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Floating Fortresses:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">FF15 USS Cairo</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Ascent of Man:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">AOM24 Homo Sapiens</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Baseball Highlight Sketches:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BHS-25 Ichiro</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Minis:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">63 Neil Walker</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">82 Scott Rolen (A&amp;G Back)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">89 John Axford</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">108 Roy Oswalt</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">343 Drew Stubbs</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">AP-23 Red Wolf</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">UG3 Waverly Hills Sanatorium</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">SRU2 Fire Breathing</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The best card in the blaster was....</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0rfCi2cIrNI/TvwqWrtoMwI/AAAAAAAAAME/0Yhzt_EdkNU/s1600/DeJesus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0rfCi2cIrNI/TvwqWrtoMwI/AAAAAAAAAME/0Yhzt_EdkNU/s320/DeJesus.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I always love getting autos in blasters and this David DeJesus is no exception. I know this may not be an amazing auto to pull but I really like his signature. Plus the A&amp;G framed autos always look really nice. Not a bad box for only $15. Now I must fight the urge to go back and buy that last blaster on the shelf.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you need anything I listed or any base let me know and I'll see what I can do. </div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-24543302215167050122011-12-29T10:22:00.000-06:002011-12-29T10:22:00.484-06:00Thanks for the Bagwell Santa!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Over at<a href="http://sportscardarena.com/"> Sports Card Arena </a>we had a secret Santa gift exchange this Christmas. The person who drew my name is someone I'd traded with before and they knew exactly what to get me to make my Christmas great.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Baseball%20PC/BagwellPatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Baseball%20PC/BagwellPatch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This Bagwell will be a great addition to my PC. I really need to step it up when it comes to collecting Bagwell GU and auto cards. I've been focusing on newer products and younger Astros a lot recently but in 2012 I'm going to make more of an effort on the Bagwell front.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thanks again to Wayne for the great Bagwell and to all the other guys there at SCA for making this such an awesome year for me. If it weren't for the guys over there and you fellow bloggers I don't know if I'd enjoy this hobby as much as I do. </div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-63931799276943405432011-12-28T10:02:00.001-06:002011-12-28T10:02:00.062-06:00Trading with the Nap<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A couple of weeks ago I contacted <a href="http://napkindoon.blogspot.com/">Napkin Doon</a> about helping him inch closer to finishing his Gypsy Queen set. I sent him a handful of set needs and he told me he'd be sending a Jed Lowrie GU. When I received the package I was excited to see that I got a lot more than a Jed Lowrie GU.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Baseball%20PC/MorganNapkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Baseball%20PC/MorganNapkin.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I don't have many Joe Morgan cards but I think I'll be picking up a few more this next year. Obviously in 'Stros uniforms only.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Baseball%20PC/BiggioNapkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Baseball%20PC/BiggioNapkin.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This Biggio card is so much more awesome in person. The scanner doesn't do it justice and I kind of want to track down the other versions too.</span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Baseball%20PC/LowrieNapkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Baseball%20PC/LowrieNapkin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This was the only card I thought I'd be receiving and had that been the case I'd still be satisfied. Lowrie is a new acquisition for the Astros and I hope he makes himself at home here in Houston. I know we could use some help from him during this rebuilding phase.</span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Finally the card that put this trade WAY over the top...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Baseball%20PC/AndreNapkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n586/Trey_Jones001/Baseball%20PC/AndreNapkin.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Once again the scan doesn't do it justice but this card is beautiful. I have no experience with eTopps but this card makes me want to try it out. It's serial numbered and awesomely shiny.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I can't thank <a href="http://napkindoon.blogspot.com/">Napkin Doon</a> enough for this awesome trade and I hope to complete many more trades with Nap in 2012. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas with their families!!</div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-44614060653723000062011-12-20T18:09:00.000-06:002011-12-20T18:09:31.225-06:00I'll take that $2.99 bobble in the window please.<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ok so the bobble head wasn't really sitting in the window but it was only $2.99. I recently stopped by Goodwill trying to find a random/cheap gag gift for a party this Friday. I didn't find a gift for the party but I did find this pretty awesome Brett Myers bobble head. I don't have many bobble heads since I usually forget when they're giving them away at games so lucky for me I came across this one.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oXqRkDifuyw/TvEjlhmPe5I/AAAAAAAAAL4/MbhudwqixMU/s1600/MyersBobble.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oXqRkDifuyw/TvEjlhmPe5I/AAAAAAAAAL4/MbhudwqixMU/s320/MyersBobble.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">&nbsp;They had two and I almost picked up the second one as I thought maybe <a href="http://www.thedailydimwit.com/">The Daily Dimwit</a> might enjoy it but someone beat me to it while I was browsing the aisles. Better luck next time I guess. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-30979712690154052192011-12-19T20:44:00.000-06:002011-12-19T20:44:23.705-06:00Sometimes it's hard to say goodbye...<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">About a week ago you may have seen my recent acquisition of a Wandy Rodriguez DDC. That card was part of a trade that would send a Manny Banuelos auto in exchange for 2 Astros auto refractors and the Wandy DDC. Unfortunately there was some confusion and the Astros refractors were never found so the trade was cancelled. Banuelos will be headed back here to Texas while the Wandy DDC is already back in Kansas.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was a great week having Wandy in my collection with all his diamond die cut glory but it just wasn't meant to be. I wish you all the best and hope you find a good home Wandy DDC. Maybe you'll come back to me in another trade, this time for good.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PMAOgjvbY-g/Tt-cmEH6wyI/AAAAAAAAAKY/fctgl9FwKJ4/s1600/WandyDiecut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PMAOgjvbY-g/Tt-cmEH6wyI/AAAAAAAAAKY/fctgl9FwKJ4/s320/WandyDiecut.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">PS: Hunter Pence DDC and Brett Wallace DDC send you their love.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3923994309115784328.post-18366133692190138492011-12-14T12:59:00.001-06:002011-12-14T13:00:45.187-06:00The Diamond King is ending the year in style<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Diamond King is running a contest to commemorate the end of 2011. I'm a bit late on jumping into the contest but the prizes, 7 different ones to choose from, are pretty awesome. Follow the link for complete rules and good luck to everyone that enters.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="65" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCrvBYzGJF4/Tujxr8qUHtI/AAAAAAAAALw/BDIJHBFuJU4/s320/kings2.jpg" width="320" /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>*Photo Courtesy of The Diamond Kings Header*</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thediamondking.blogspot.com/2011/12/day-1-of-8-end-of-year-megacontest.html">Diamond King End of Year Contest!!!!</a></div>Trey J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11649093991125341679noreply@blogger.com0